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BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog

March 29 2024

Entry Point 16 - Moose/Portage River (North of Echo Trail)

Moose/Portage River (north) entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by La Croix Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 27 miles. Access is a 160-rod portage heading North from the Echo Trail.

Number of Permits per Day: 5
Elevation: 1348 feet
Latitude: 48.1230
Longitude: -92.0991
A favorite route offering many trip options and memorable things to see including;

World Class fishing for all four BWCA Species
Pictographs
Soaring granite hills and cliffs
Small lakes
Small rivers
Tumbling rapids and waterfalls
Wildlife, including Moose
Vistas from high points across the region if you're willing to climb. Rating Easy to Moderate. Day One. Get to EP16 off of the Echo Trail early. The initial portage is long, but well worn and smooth, sloping gently downgrade to the launch area. Load your canoe and head North. You'll be paddling with the slight current on this narrow winding river. The water is clear and make sure to tell the bowperson to watch for looming rocks!

Angleworm Hiking Trail

by BearBurrito
Trip Report

Entry Date: September 19, 2014
Entry Point: Angleworm Lake
Number of Days: 3
Group Size: 1

Trip Introduction:
My first solo backpacking trip

Day 1 of 3


Friday, September 19, 2014 I drove up from Fargo Thursday night and stayed in Grand Rapids, I was up early and to the ranger station in Ely by 9 to pick up my permit and watch the wonderful video. Drove up the Echo trail to the angleworm trailhead, and got final checks of gear done. I was on the trail by 10. It was overcast and cool when I left which was great for hiking, not so great for pictures since the fall colors didn't show up very well with the low light. It rained off and on the whole day Friday, which made the rocks very slippery, I was very glad I had brought a trekking pole. The trail was in great shape, easy to follow, and above water, Spring creek was barely flowing when I crossed it. Got to camp at Whisky Jack lake around 3, and spent almost an hour getting a fire going with everything soaking wet. It was weird being on my own for the first time, since I had to do everything. After getting a fire started and dinner on, I set up camp, my first camping trip with a hammock, I will never go back to sleeping on the ground. Camp set, I ate the hobo dinner I packed and fished for a little while, nothing but small bass. It started raining again about 7, and I spent the rest of the evening sitting in my hammock under the tarp reading. About 1 am a really nasty thunderstorm passed through, and I was a little worried being alone, but I got up and checked my tarp, everything seemed fine and I was dry so I laid back down and let the wind rock me back to sleep

 



Day 2 of 3


Saturday, September 20, 2014 Woke up to another overcast day around 7, struggled to get a fire going again, had to have my coffee. Had a quick breakfast of clif bars and trail mix, broke camp and was on the trail by 9:30. Everything was soaked. I ran into another hiker just after I had crossed the creek at Home Lake, the only person I saw the whole trip. I pushed on to the campsite halfway down angleworm lake on the west side, but since I got there at 1:30 I decided to keep hiking. Stopped at the middle camp site by the portage, and was rewarded to finally see the sun. Set up camp, made dinner, and was sleeping by dark. I was tired of slogging through a soaking wet forest.

 



Day 3 of 3


Sunday, September 21, 2014 Woke up to sunshine around 6:30, what a difference that makes. Had coffee and oatmeal for breakfast, putzed around camp for awhile, finally got packed up around 10, and headed for the car. Got out around 11:30 and headed for home. I really enjoyed my first solo backpacking trip, I'm already planning another one for next year

 


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